The Karen Ann Quinlan Case & Extraordinary Means

[Bonaventure]

I recently read about this case. For those unaware of it, a simple wiki will suffice:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Ann_Quinlan

It seems quite similar to the Terri Schiavo case, and was just as controversial. Her "devout Catholic" parents apparently made reference to what Pius XII said about extraordinary means, and the New Jersey Supreme Court eventually agreed with them.

[tradne4163]

The Terri Schiavo case was a completely different ball game. There were no extraordinary means being used. She only was fed through a feeding tube, which falls under basic care.

Another big difference is that the aim wasn't to kill the patient in Quinlan's case. In Schaivo's it was.

[Bonaventure]

I see. Thanks.

I'm not that in to medicine, so it's hard for me to tell.

[tradne4163]

I see. Thanks.

I'm not that in to medicine, so it's hard for me to tell.

I just remember seeing the lady on TV. She was in a wheelchair, and moving her head around. No sign of any machinery attached to her. It really chills me to the bone. I really need to get my documents in order to lower the chances of Mrs. Schiavo's fate becoming mine.